Great opportunity but overwhelming..Help! (Jackson, Hattiesburg: fit in, low crime, houses)

[~Pajama mama~]

I was born and raised in MS but due to hubby's job, we moved away years ago. Now we have an opportunity to move back. We are thrilled as that is where all of our family is. My husband will be working from home so we have the option of living anywhere in the state from about I20 south. I would love some info on areas that would fit our wants/needs. We have 2 school age children so good schools are important. We like smaller towns with houses on a little bit of acreage. I would say we are upper middle class and fit in better with country folks. We are very outdoorsy and would like to have hiking, biking, boating etc close by. Of course a safe, low crime area is important.

I have lived around Jackson, (not interested in Madison) and Hattiesburg. A few places in Rankin county are options as well as Petal. However, I have no knowledge of the other areas like Brookhaven/McComb or the Gulf Coast. Any information on any of the towns I've mentioned or any that I haven't that would seem like a good fit, would be very much appreciated.